Lug-strap for looms.



Patented May 7, MM. F. A. MILLS.

LUG STRAP FOR LOOMS.

2 Sheets-Shut l.

(No Model.)

'm: uunm: PETERS on, Mum-Lima, wasnmcron a I:

No. 673,582. Patented May 7, l90l. F. A. MILLS.

LUG STRAP FOR LOOMS.

(Application filed Oct. 25, 1900; (No Model.) 2 Shoots-Shoat 2.

lvilincooeb UNITED STATES rATENT Fries.

FRANCIS ARTHUR MILLS, OF METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONF-l-IALF TO GROSVENOR B. EMMONS, OF SAME PLACE.

LUG-STRAP FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 673,582, dated May 7, 1901.

Application filed October 25, 1900. Serial No. 34,356. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANCIS ARTHUR MILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Methuen, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lug-Straps for Looms, of which the following is a specification.

The invention hereinafter set forth is directed to the attainment of new and advantageous results in the picker-staff motion of looms; and the invention resides in certain improvements in a universal or swivel joint lug-strap for actuating the picker-stick,whereby the pull is direct and central of the two joint parts upon the strap and picker-staff in every direction during the movements of its connected parts in throwing the shuttle and a fixed and unchanging distance is maintained between the pick-arm and the picker-stick, and for the proper illustration whereby such new results are attained I have shown in the accompanying drawings, a complete pickerstafi movement.

In the statement of my invention the following description, read in connection with such drawings, will enable any one skilled in the art to which my invention relates to understand its nature and to practice it in the form in which I prefer to employ it; but it will be understood that my invention is not.

limited to the precise form and construction of the several operating parts herein illustrated and described, as various modifications and changes may be made in the details of the lug-strap joint so long as such joint gives a pull upon the lug-strap from the center of the two joint parts.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents in front View the loom parts, comprising the shuttle-race lay, the picker-sticks, and the actuating mechanism therefor, including myuniversal or swivel joint lug-strap. Fig. 2 is a side View, enlarged, of the swivel-joint lug-strap and parts of its picker-stick and pick-' arm connections. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a vertical and horizontal section of the same. Fig. 5 is avertical cross-section taken through the axis of the swivel-joint. Fig. 6 shows the pick-arm and the swinging thereon of the lug-strap in a direct central line in the swinging movements of the arm with the center of the two joint parts. Figs. 7 and 8 show, respectively, a side and horizontal section of a modified form of universal joint.

My universal or swivel joint lug strap avoids by its construction the disadvantages common in looms in the requirement for frequent adjustment and renewal of the lugstraps for actuating the picker-sticks and they are applicable to the picker-stick motion of looms now in use. The picker-sticks 1 1 are shown mounted upon the usual rocker-beds 2 2, which are carried by the rock-shaft 3, upon which are fixed the swords 4:,which carry the race-lay 5. The picker-sticks have the usual retracting-springs 6, by which they are connected with the rocker-shaft. The powerdriven crank-shaft 7 connects the swords for operating the race-lay, while a shaft 8 carries cams 9 9, adapted to actuate the pick-arms 10 10, which by means of the lug-straps 11 give the cam-actuated or inward throw to the picker-sticks to throw the shuttle. In this operation the pick-arm has a vibratory movement in the line of the lay, while the pickerstick has a movement in line with the lay and a vibratory movement therewith, and the universal joint of my lug-strap is designed to effect a central pull on the lug-strap to prevent cramping and wear of thejoints, while the construction of the strap-joint provides for a fixed and unchanging distance between the pickarm and the picker-stick. For these purposes the lug-strap is of metal, preferably formed of a rod or stout wire bent into parallel arms which are connected to the pick-arm by a universal joint, while at the bent end 12 a leather roll 13 forms a free revoluble bearing and connection with the usual suspending leather loop 14:, fastened to the rear side of the picker-stick, to prevent wear of the latter and the cutting of the suspending-loop. The joint-connected ends of the strap-arms are screw-threaded and are connected by a strong bearingbar, the part 15 whereof between the strap-arms is cylindrical, its ends 16 being flat and each formed with a non'threaded hole, through which the threaded ends of the strap-arms freely pass, and are provided with nuts 17 at the inner flat sides of the arms and with nuts 18 on the outer flat sides of said bar ends. .A ring or sleeve 19 is fitted upon the cylindrical body 15 of the bearingbar and has trunnions 20, which stand vertically transverse to the axis of the bearingbar and which form bearings within and between bracket parts secured to and standing horizontally from the depending pick-arm, the two joint-forming parts being a unit. Preferably these bracket parts are separate arms 21, fitted by slots for vertical adjust ment, upon the pick arm and secured by clamp-screws 22, so as to properly set the joint on the pick-arm that the lug-strap will be maintained horizontal. The strap-rod is preferably of rounded iron and bent to form the bearing for the roll, which I prefer to make of a leather strap coiled upon a metal sleeve 23 to give freedom for the rolling of the strap-bearing 13 to prevent wear and cutting of the roll by the lug-strap, while the roll itself will prevent wear and cutting of the suspending-strap. The bent end of the lug-strap confines the leather roll and keeps it in true position on the driving side of the picker-stick and in its suspending-loop. The lug-straps having been adjusted by the nuts on the joint to give the proper distance between the picker-stick and the pick-arm, such adjustment stands because of the employment of a metal lug-strap, which gives a positive and unchanging extent in the throw of the picker-stick.

As the forming of the fabric in weaving is a very slow operation, it is the aim of the person in charge of the loom-room to keep the looms in operation, and the loss of time required by stopping the loom to adjust the length of the leather lugstraps now in use is a very serious matter in the loss of the product. Besides the necessity for the frequent adjustment of the length of the leather lugstrap there are other serious objections to its use, for owing to the action of the picker-stick where it comes in contact with the edges of the strap the wear of the latter is rapid by reason of the changing angular movement and varying surface contact produced during each vibration of the picker-stick and of the race-lay, so that in addition to the loss of time for taking up its length loss of time is also necessitated by frequent renewals of the lug-strap, thereby increasing the cost for repairs. Moreover, the swinging of the pick-arm in a vertical plane causes a change in its angle on the strap and when made of leather cuts out its edges,wl1ich work against the back of the picker-stick; but by the cooperation of the metallic strap, the universal-joint connection, and the free roll-bearing at the picker-stick connection my metallic strap is essentially an unwearing and an unchanging means of transmitting to the picker-stick the sudden sharp blows by Which the shuttle is sent across the race-lay.

The adjustment of the universal joint on the pick-arm to set the required length of the lug-strap is effected by unscrewing the inner nuts 17 about an inch and pushing the threaded ends of the strap-rods through the holes in allow the end nuts to be turned to make the strap longer or shorter. The strap is then pulled to bring the end nuts against the flat ends of the bearing-bar, when the inner nuts 17 are set up against the flat ends of the said bar and the adjustinentis made a permanent thing. The end nuts by their engagement with the ends of the trunnioned sleeve are thereby prevented from turning and serve to lock the ends of the strap to the bearing-bar.

From the foregoing description it will be noted that the bearings of the two joint-forming parts have their axes coincident with each otherthat is, one part being centrally within the other, the lines of the axis of each part crossing each other in coincident relation, the inner part inclosed within the outer partand that this novel construction practically makes the joint a unit. It will also be noted that the lug-strap is adjustably connected to the ends of the inner joint part which project outside of the Outer part, whereby the inner part is caused to rock vertically Within the bearing-walls of the outer part, while the on ter part is adj ustably connected to the pick.- arm and is caused to rock horizontally, making practically an unwearable joint, with the thereby effects the central pull upon the strap,

avoiding any anguilarstrain or cramping upon the joints which would result if one joint part was on the pick-arm and the joint some distance away on the lug-strap and which by such mechanical arrangement would make one of the joint parts a link the pulling action of which on the lug-strap would be angular in the movement of the latter and would produce undue wear and strain on the separated pivot-forming joints. It is such undue wear and angular strain that my improvement avoids by the central pull on the lug-strap.

Obviously a ball-and-socket joint such as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may be used as the means of connecting the lug-strap with the pick-arm, with the resulting direct central pulling movements of the strap. In the modification shown the bracket is in one piece and forms the socket- 24 of the joint, while a halfball 25 on the strap-connecting bar forms the other member of the joint.

1. The combination of the picker-stick, the pick-arm and actuating mechanism therefor, of a joint on the pick-arm consisting of two bearing parts the axis of one passing coincidently at right angles through the axis of the other, one part connected by a trunnion on each end with the pick-arm, the other part centrally supported in the trunnioned part and projecting from it at each end, and a lugstrap connecting the ends of the centrallysupported joint part and suitably supported on the picker-stick.

2. In a loom and in combination with the pickerstick, the pick-arm and actuating mechanism therefor, of a joint consisting of a ring-bearing part having trunnions, arms engaging the latter and the pick-arm, a bearing part within the ring-trunnioned part, having ends projecting outside of the latter, the axis of both joint parts being coincident, and a lug-strap of parallel arms, each arm adj ustably connected to the ends of the central joint part and to the picker-stick.

3. In a loom, the combination with the picker-stick, the pick arm and actuating mechanism therefor, of a lug-strap, a universal joint on the pick-arm comprising an inner and an outer joint-forming part, the bearings of each in coincident axial relation, the inner part connecting the strap, the outer part connecting the pick-arm, a loop on the picker-stick, and a roll freely mounted on the end of the lug-strap suspended within the loop, whereby the strap has a free revoluble bearing on the picker-stick.

L. In a loom, a lug-strap comprising parallel arms a roll freely mounted on one end to form a revoluble bearing on the pickerstick, a universal joint on the other end of the strap-arms consisting of two joint-forming parts, one within the other, the inner one connecting the ends of the lug-strap, a pickarm and an adjustable bearing upon the pickarm connecting the outer joint part for operation as stated.

5. In a loom and in combination with the picker-stick, the pick arm and actuating mechanism therefor, of a bracket vertically slidable upon the pick-arm, means for clamping the bracket thereto, a universal joint consisting of a trunnioued bearing-ring mounted in the bracket, a cylindrical bearing part within the ring connected to the lug-strap, and means for adjustably connecting the latter with the inner joint-bearing part whereby the lug-strap is free to move in two directions and with the movements of the lay with a central pull upon the bracket.

6. In a loom, the combination with the racelay, the picker-sticks and the pick-arms, of an actuating-strap, a roll on the strap, a loop suspending the roll on the back of the pickerstick, an adjustable bracket on the pick-arm, a universal joint on the bracket and means whereby the actuating-strap is adj ustably connected with the bracket.

7. In a loom, a lug-strap comprising a rod bent to form parallel arms screw-threaded at their ends, a cylindrical bearing-bar having fiat ends provided with holes through which the strap threaded ends pass, a ring upon the bearing-bar having trunnions at right angles to the latter, a bracket-mounting for said trunnions, and jam-nuts on the strap ends on each side of the flat ends of the bearing-bar.

8. In a loom and in combination with the picker stick, the pick arm and actuating mechanism therefor, a universal joint on the latter consisting of two parts having coincident joint aXes one of which connects with one end of the lug-strap, a freely-revoluble roll on the other end of the lug-strap, and a loop suspending the roll on the picker-stick.

9. In a loom and in combination with the race-lay, the picker-stick, the pick-arm and actuating mechanism therefor, of a lug-strap bent to form parallel arms, a bracket of two arms each slotted on the pick-arm, means for adjusting the bracket-arms vertically, a universal joint mounted upon the strap-arms between the bracket-arms, and means for adjusting the rod on one of said joint parts.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS ARTHUR MILLS.

Witnesses:

GROSVENOR B. EMMONS, D. D. WOODBURY. 

